Full History Of Nayib Bukele In Timeline From 1921

1 day ago : Trump Praises Bukele Amid Rights Abuse Concerns, Predicts Deportation Policies.

Donald Trump met with Nayib Bukele, seemingly dismissing human rights concerns related to El Salvador's prison. The meeting suggests continuation of controversial deportation policies and strengthened ties between the leaders.

1921: Paternal Grandparents Immigration to El Salvador

In 1921, Nayib Bukele's paternal grandparents, who were Palestinian Christians, immigrated to El Salvador from Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

1975: Last time El Salvador hosted Miss Universe

In January 2023, Bukele announced that El Salvador would host the Miss Universe 2023 pageant; the last time El Salvador had hosted Miss Universe was in 1975.

1979: Start of Salvadoran Civil War

The Salvadoran Civil War started in 1979.

July 1981: Nayib Bukele's Birth

In July 1981, Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez was born. He would later become the 81st president of El Salvador.

July 1981: Birth of Nayib Bukele

On July 24, 1981, Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez was born in San Salvador, El Salvador.

1984: José Napoleón Duarte Elected President

José Napoleón Duarte was elected president in 1984 and served until 1989.

1989: End of José Napoleón Duarte's Presidential Term

José Napoleón Duarte's presidential term ended in 1989.

1992: End of Salvadoran Civil War

The Salvadoran Civil War ended in 1992.

1994: FMLN's First Election

In 1994 the FMLN participated in its first election.

1999: Established an Advertising Company

In 1999, Nayib Bukele established an advertising company. He also worked at his father's advertising company, which was named Armando Bukele Kattán. Both companies advertised election campaigns for the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) political party.

1999: Founded Obermet Marketing Company

In 1999, Nayib Bukele founded the marketing company Obermet (also known as 4am Saatchi & Saatchi El Salvador).

1999: Completed Secondary Education

In 1999, at the age of 18, Nayib Bukele completed his secondary education at the Escuela Panamericana.

2004: Political advertising for FMLN Presidential Campaigns

In 2004, Obermet ran political advertising for the FMLN presidential campaigns of Schafik Hándal.

2006: President of Obermet

From 1999 to 2006, Nayib Bukele served as the president of Obermet.

2009: Political advertising for FMLN Presidential Campaigns

In 2009, Obermet ran political advertising for the FMLN presidential campaigns of Mauricio Funes.

2010: President of Obermet

From 2010 to 2012, Nayib Bukele served as the president of Obermet.

2011: Announced Entry into Politics

In 2011, Nayib Bukele announced that he would enter politics as a member of the FMLN.

2011: Entered Politics

In 2011, Nayib Bukele entered politics.

March 2012: Elected Mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlán

On March 11, 2012, Nayib Bukele was elected mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlán with 51.67 percent of the vote.

May 2012: Took Office as Mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlán

On May 1, 2012, Nayib Bukele took office as the country's youngest mayor.

2012: End of Presidency at Obermet and Yamaha Motors El Salvador

In 2012, Nayib Bukele's tenure as president of Obermet and Yamaha Motors El Salvador concluded.

August 2014: Announced Candidacy for Mayor of San Salvador

In August 2014, Nayib Bukele announced that he would seek election as mayor of San Salvador in the 2015 elections, with his candidacy confirmed by FMLN secretary-general Medardo González on August 19.

August 2014: Launched Sphere PM Project

On 27 August 2014, Nayib Bukele launched Sphere PM, a project that launched a high-altitude balloon to an altitude of 100,000 feet (30,000 m) and took pictures of El Salvador, with the goal of promoting science and technology education.

November 2014: Spoke at United Nations Headquarters

In November 2014, Nayib Bukele spoke at United Nations headquarters about projects he had undertaken as mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlán as part of the World Cities Day.

December 2014: Bukele marries Gabriela Rodríguez

On December 6, 2014, Nayib Bukele married psychologist and ballet dancer Gabriela Rodríguez.

2014: Deteriorating Relationship with FMLN

After Salvador Sánchez Cerén was elected as the FMLN president of El Salvador in 2014, Nayib Bukele's relationship with the FMLN began to deteriorate.

2014: Muyshondt accused of electoral fraud

Ernesto Muyshondt was accused by the Salvadoran government of electoral fraud and illegal negotiation with gang members to vote for ARENA during the 2014 presidential election.

January 2015: Inaugurated Boulevard Connecting Nuevo Cuscatlán

On 21 January 2015, Nayib Bukele inaugurated a $1.7 million boulevard connecting Nuevo Cuscatlán with Huizúcar and Antiguo Cuscatlán.

February 2015: Delegated Administration of Nuevo Cuscatlán

On 10 February 2015, Nayib Bukele delegated administration of Nuevo Cuscatlán to council member Michelle Sol to focus on his campaign for mayor of San Salvador.

March 2015: Elected Mayor of San Salvador

On 1 March 2015, Nayib Bukele defeated Edwin Zamora with 50.38 percent of the vote to become the mayor of San Salvador.

May 2015: Signed Sister City Agreement with Panama City

In May 2015, Nayib Bukele signed an agreement with Panama City mayor José Blandón to establish a sister city relationship between San Salvador and Panama City.

June 2015: Mirror Sites of Newspapers Created

In June 2015, the Búnker digital-programming company created mirror sites of the newspapers El Diario de Hoy and La Prensa Gráfica, posting false information in an attempt to damage their reputations.

November 2015: Signed Agreement with Spanish National League of Professional Football

In November 2015, Nayib Bukele signed an agreement with the Spanish National League of Professional Football to promote sports for San Salvador's youth.

2015: Democratic Change Party's Performance

In 2015 legislative elections, the Democratic Change party failed to receive over 50,000 votes, which eventually led to its cancellation by the TSE in 2018.

2015: Peak Homicide Rate

In 2015, El Salvador's homicide rate peaked at 107 homicides per 100,000 people.

2015: Threatened to Leave FMLN Over Attorney General Appoinment

In 2015, Nayib Bukele threatened to leave the FMLN if the government reappointed Luis Martínez as attorney general. The FMLN relented and replaced Martínez.

2015: Elected Mayor of San Salvador

In 2015, Nayib Bukele was elected mayor of San Salvador, serving until 2018.

2015: Death of Father, Armando Bukele Kattán

In 2015, Nayib Bukele's father, Armando Bukele Kattán, passed away.

January 2016: El Diario de Hoy and La Prensa Gráfica Reported Cyberattack

In January 2016, El Diario de Hoy and La Prensa Gráfica reported that the Búnker digital-programming company had created mirror sites of the newspapers and posted false information. Bukele denied involvement.

January 2016: Began San Salvador 100% Illuminated Campaign

In January 2016, Nayib Bukele began a "San Salvador 100% Illuminated" campaign to combat crime in the city by having a light on every corner of San Salvador; the campaign was completed by May of that year.

June 2016: Renamed 89 Avenida Norte in Honor of Castellanos

In June 2016, as mayor, Nayib Bukele renamed 89 Avenida Norte in honor of José Arturo Castellanos, who provided fake Salvadoran passports to Central European Jews during the Holocaust.

September 2016: Visited Washington, D.C. and met with Mayor Muriel Bowser

In September 2016, Nayib Bukele visited Washington, D.C. and met with Mayor Muriel Bowser to discuss the implementation of urban-development projects and received the keys to the city of Gaithersburg, Maryland.

December 2016: Inaugurated Cuscatlán Market

In December 2016, Nayib Bukele inaugurated the Cuscatlán Market to encourage street vendors to relocate their businesses.

2016: Downward Trend in Homicide Rate Begins

In 2016, El Salvador began a downward trend in its homicide rate, which continued throughout Bukele's presidency.

February 2017: Visited Taipei and met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen

In February 2017, Nayib Bukele visited Taipei and met with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen to "enhance" the sister-city relationship between San Salvador and Taipei.

July 2017: Bukele Sued La Prensa Gráfica for Defamation

On 4 July 2017, Nayib Bukele sued La Prensa Gráfica for $6 million, alleging defamation in its reporting of cyberattacks linking him to the Troll Center case. Later that month, a court dismissed Bukele's lawsuit and three other courts rejected his appeals.

September 2017: Accusation of Assault and Insults

In September 2017, FMLN member Xóchitl Marchelli accused Bukele of throwing an apple at her and calling her a "damn traitor" and a "witch".

October 2017: Inaugurated Renovated Downtown Gerardo Barrios Plaza

In October 2017, Nayib Bukele inaugurated the renovated downtown Gerardo Barrios Plaza.

October 2017: Expulsion from FMLN

In October 2017, Nayib Bukele was expelled from the FMLN after an ethics tribunal found him guilty of "defamatory acts", "disrespect" for women's rights, and "disqualifying comments" against party members.

October 2017: Presidential Candidacy Announcement

On October 15, 2017, Bukele announced his intention to run for president in 2019 and form a new political party, Nuevas Ideas. He formally announced the party's establishment on October 25, 2017.

December 2017: Charges Dropped in Troll Center Case

In December 2017, the charges against five people in relation to the "Troll Center" case, which involved the creation of mirror sites of newspapers, were dropped.

2017: Ousted from the FMLN and Founded Nuevas Ideas Party

In 2017, Nayib Bukele was ousted from the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN). Shortly afterward, he founded the Nuevas Ideas political party.

2017: Implementation of mining ban

The Catholic Church supported the mining ban's implementation in 2017 and called on Bukele to not repeal the ban citing environmental concerns in November 2024.

February 2018: Attended International Mayors Conference in Jerusalem

In February 2018, Nayib Bukele attended the 32nd International Mayors Conference in Jerusalem and prayed at the Western Wall.

April 2018: Inaugurated New Downtown Lineal Plaza

In April 2018, Nayib Bukele inaugurated the new downtown Lineal Plaza.

July 2018: Presidential Nomination with GANA

On July 29, 2018, Bukele registered with the right-wing Grand Alliance for National Unity (GANA) and received the party's presidential nomination. He selected Félix Ulloa as his vice-presidential candidate.

October 2018: Withdrawal of Lawsuit

In October 2018, Xóchitl Marchelli sent a letter to the court, stating she would no longer pursue her lawsuit against Bukele for health reasons.

December 2018: Presidential Debate Absence

In December 2018, Bukele did not attend the presidential debate, claiming that the debate rules were not explained to him.

December 2018: FGR Reviewed Information Linking Bukele to Cyberattacks

In December 2018, the FGR (office of the attorney general) stated that it had reviewed information supposedly linking Nayib Bukele's cell phone to the cyberattacks in the "Troll Center" case.

2018: El Salvador cuts diplomatic ties with Taiwan

In 2018, El Salvador cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognized the People's Republic of China as China's legitimate government.

2018: End of Term as Mayor of San Salvador

In 2018, Nayib Bukele's term as mayor of San Salvador concluded.

2018: FMLN's Poor Performance in Elections

In the 2018 legislative and municipal elections, the FMLN experienced its worst performance since 1994, losing seats in the Legislative Assembly and municipalities. Bukele had called on his supporters to spoil their votes or stay home.

January 2019: Presidential Debate Absence

In January 2019, Bukele did not attend the presidential debate, claiming that the debate rules were not explained to him.

February 2019: FMLN Acknowledges Bukele's Expulsion as a Mistake

In February 2019, Roberto Lorenzana, FMLN presidential communications secretary, stated that Bukele's expulsion was a mistake that cost the party votes.

February 2019: Presidential Election Victory

On February 3, 2019, Nayib Bukele won the presidential election with 53.1 percent of the vote, defeating Carlos Calleja, Hugo Martínez, and Josué Alvarado.

March 2019: Acquittal in Assault Case

On March 29, 2019, Nayib Bukele was acquitted by the Specialized Sentencing Court in the case brought against him after being accused of assault.

May 2019: Statement on diplomatic relations with Taiwan

In May 2019, Vice President Félix Ulloa stated that Bukele's government would not restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

June 2019: Rejection of Nicolás Maduro's presidency

In June 2019, Bukele stated that his government would no longer recognize Nicolás Maduro as the president of Venezuela, instead recognizing Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's legitimate president during Venezuela's presidential crisis.

June 2019: Inauguration as President of El Salvador

On June 1, 2019, Nayib Bukele became the 81st and current president of El Salvador.

June 2019: First Presidential Inauguration

On June 1, 2019, Nayib Bukele's first presidential inauguration was held at the National Palace. He became the 81st and the youngest president of El Salvador at the age of 37. He announced a sixteen-person cabinet composed of eight men and eight women.

June 2019: Territorial Control Plan Announcement

On June 19, 2019, Bukele announced the implementation of a seven-phase security Territorial Control Plan to disrupt gang finances, starting that night at midnight. Phase one involved stationing security forces in municipalities where gangs were known to collect extortion money.

July 2019: Implemented Territorial Control Plan

In July 2019, Nayib Bukele implemented the Territorial Control Plan to reduce El Salvador's homicide rate.

July 2019: Territorial Control Plan Phase Two

In July 2019, phase two of the Territorial Control Plan, known as "opportunity", began, focusing on creating programs and initiatives to prevent youth crime.

August 2019: Territorial Control Plan Phase Three

In August 2019, phase three of the Territorial Control Plan, known as "modernization", began, focused on improving equipment used by the country's security forces.

September 2019: Establishment of CICIES

Bukele established the International Commission Against Impunity in El Salvador (CICIES) in September 2019, an anti-corruption commission.

September 2019: Meeting with Trump

During Bukele's September 2019 meeting with Trump, Bukele called on Trump to promote legal migration and to maintain the United States' temporary protected status (TPS) policy for Salvadorans living in the United States.

November 2019: Bukele seeks loan for Territorial Control Plan

In November 2019, Bukele began trying to secure a $109 million loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration to fund phase three of the Territorial Control Plan, but the legislature requested more time to evaluate the loan.

December 2019: Presidency Pro Tempore of SICA

From June 5 to December 22, 2019, Bukele served as the president pro tempore of the Central American Integration System (SICA).

December 2019: Honorary Doctorate from Beijing International Studies University

In December 2019, Beijing International Studies University awarded Bukele an honorary doctoral degree.

December 2019: Meeting with Xi Jinping and signing of infrastructure agreement

In December 2019, Bukele met Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing and signed a "gigantic" infrastructure agreement with China for an unknown amount of money.

2019: Accusations of Releasing Gang Leaders

Between 2019 and 2021, the United States Department of Justice accused Bukele's government of releasing gang leaders as part of negotiations, a claim Bukele denied.

2019: Homicide Rate Decrease

By 2019, El Salvador's homicide rate had decreased to 38 homicides per 100,000 people, although still one of the world's highest. There were approximately 67,000 gang members in the country.

2019: Presidential Campaign and Promises

During his presidential campaign in 2019, Bukele and a network of YouTubers, bloggers, and internet trolls attempted to discredit ARENA and the FMLN. His campaign promises included combating corruption, developing infrastructure, creating job opportunities, and reducing crime.

2019: Presidential Run Speculation

In 2019, Journalists speculated about Bukele running for president due to his popularity as mayor, despite his initial denials. He later expressed interest with the FMLN, but was not considered. Bukele then portrayed himself as an independent after being purged.

2019: Won Presidential Election

In 2019, after the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) refused to register his party, Nayib Bukele ran for president with the Grand Alliance for National Unity (GANA) and won with 53 percent of the vote.

February 2020: Agreement with Guatemala on Border Restrictions

In February 2020, Bukele and the Guatemalan government signed an agreement to remove border crossing restrictions between El Salvador and Guatemala and to designate flights between the two countries as domestic flights to promote tourism. The agreement allowed Bukele's government to potentially build a port on the Caribbean Sea in Guatemalan territory, giving El Salvador access to the Atlantic Ocean.

February 2020: Ordered Soldiers into Legislative Assembly

In February 2020, Nayib Bukele ordered 40 soldiers into the Legislative Assembly building to intimidate lawmakers into approving a US$109 million loan for the Territorial Control Plan.

February 2020: Bukele calls for emergency meeting to approve loan

On 6 February 2020, Bukele invoked Article 167 of the country's constitution and called for an emergency meeting of the Legislative Assembly to approve the $109 million loan. He called for his supporters to rally around the Legislative Assembly during the emergency meeting that was scheduled for 9 February. The loan was not approved.

March 2020: National quarantine imposed

On 11 March 2020, Bukele issued an executive decree imposing a "quarantine throughout the national territory", suspending school activities, prohibiting foreigners from entering the country, and mandating a 30-day quarantine for everyone entering the country. On 18 March 2020, Bukele confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in El Salvador.

March 2020: Nationwide lockdown imposed

On 21 March 2020, Bukele imposed a 30-day nationwide lockdown to combat the pandemic. 4,236 people were arrested for violating the lockdown order.

April 2020: Criticism of prison conditions

Amid April 2020 lockdowns in the country's prisons and published images of prisoners lined up in cramped positions, Human Rights Watch called the prisons' living conditions "inhumane" (particularly in light of the pandemic).

April 2020: Prison Crackdown

In April 2020, Bukele posted photos on Twitter of gang members rounded up in cramped conditions from a prison crackdown.

May 2020: United States donated ventilators to El Salvador

On 27 May 2020, the United States donated 250 ventilators to El Salvador. During the press conference, Bukele said that he took hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis.

June 2020: Inauguration of Hospital El Salvador

On 22 June 2020, Bukele inaugurated the Hospital El Salvador, the largest hospital in Latin America used exclusively for treating cases of COVID-19. It had a capacity of 400 beds, 105 intensive-care units, and 295 intermediate-care units staffed by 240 doctors.

July 2020: ICG Report on Homicide Decrease

In July 2020, the International Crisis Group (ICG) suggested that the decrease in homicides during Bukele's first year in office could be due to informal agreements between the government and gangs, allegations the government denied.

August 2020: Report of Spying on Media Outlets

According to a September 2024 Infobae report, leaked audio recordings made by Alejandro Muyshondt in August 2020 supposedly recorded him and Ernesto Castro, then Bukele's personal secretary, agreeing to spy on El Diario de Hoy, El Faro, La Prensa Gráfica, and Revista Factum.

August 2020: Expansion of Hospital El Salvador's capacity

In August 2020, the Hospital El Salvador's capacity was increased by 575 beds.

September 2020: El Faro Accusations of Negotiations with MS-13

In September 2020, El Faro accused Bukele's government of conducting secret negotiations with MS-13, allegedly granting them more freedom in prison in exchange for a reduction in homicides and support for Nuevas Ideas during the 2021 legislative elections.

November 2020: Refusal to recognize presidency of Manuel Merino in Peru

In November 2020, Bukele refused to recognize the presidency of Manuel Merino in Peru, calling Merino's government "putschist".

November 2020: Investigation of governmental institutions for corruption

In November 2020, twenty of Bukele's governmental institutions were investigated by the office of the attorney general for corruption related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Investigation of El Faro for Money Laundering

In 2020, Bukele launched an investigation of El Faro for money laundering after the newspaper alleged that his government had negotiated with gangs. Though the attorney general's office did not begin a money laundering investigation, El Faro was subject to tax audits.

2020: Homicide Rate in El Salvador

In 2020, El Salvador's homicide rate was reported to be 19.7 per 100,000 people.

2020: Protests During COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, protests against Bukele occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, though he maintained high job-approval ratings throughout his presidency.

February 2021: Biden refusal to meet with Bukele

In February 2021, Biden refused to meet Bukele when he arrived unannounced in Washington, D.C. to meet him.

February 2021: Release of Gang Leader Élmer "El Crook" Canales Rivera

In February 2021, the United States Department of Justice accused Bukele's government of releasing gang leaders as part of negotiations, including Élmer "El Crook" Canales Rivera, who was released despite an Interpol arrest warrant.

March 2021: Suspension of Tax Audits on El Faro

In March 2021, tax audits on El Faro were suspended after a Supreme Court order raised concerns about risks to freedom of expression.

April 2021: Argument with Norma Torres on Twitter

Bukele and Norma Torres, a member of the U.S. Congress, engaged in an April 2021 argument on Twitter about illegal immigration at the United States' southern border.

April 2021: Inauguration of vaccination center at Hospital El Salvador

In April 2021, Bukele inaugurated a vaccination center at Hospital El Salvador to administer up to 10,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine per day.

May 2021: Diversion of El Salvador funding by United States

In May 2021, the United States diverted El Salvador funding from government institutions to civil society groups to combat perceived corruption in Bukele's government.

May 2021: Legislative replacement of Supreme Court justices

In May 2021, the legislative replacement of the Supreme Court justices happened, which directly resulted in the September 2021 ruling that the president can serve two consecutive terms, as stated by Jean Elizabeth Manes, chargé d'affaires of the United States to El Salvador.

May 2021: Coalition government formed and Supreme Court justices removed

On 1 May 2021, Nuevas Ideas formed a coalition government and voted to remove the five justices of the Supreme Court of Justice's constitutional court and Attorney General Raúl Melara, replacing them with Bukele's allies.

May 2021: Bukele donated doses of COVID-19 vaccine to towns in Honduras

On 13 May 2021, Bukele donated 34,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to seven towns in Honduras after pleas from their mayors for vaccine doses. El Salvador had received 1.9 million doses at the time, and Honduras had only received 59,000.

June 2021: Dissolution of CICIES

Bukele dissolved CICIES in June 2021 after the OAS named Ernesto Muyshondt an anti-corruption advisor.

June 2021: Bitcoin legal tender bill introduced

On 5 June 2021, Bukele announced at the Bitcoin 2021 conference that he would introduce a bill to the Legislative Assembly that would make bitcoin legal tender. The Legislative Assembly approved the bill three days later. Athena Bitcoin also announced that it would invest $1 million to install 1,500 bitcoin ATMs.

July 2021: Territorial Control Plan Phase Four

In July 2021, phase four of the Territorial Control Plan, known as "incursion", began, with security forces patrolling areas with a high gang presence.

September 2021: Supreme Court rules president can serve two consecutive terms

In September 2021, the Supreme Court of Justice ruled that the president can serve two consecutive terms, overturning a 2014 ruling. This decision, allowing Bukele to run for re-election in 2024, was met with criticism from constitutional lawyers, opposition parties, and the United States government.

September 2021: Bitcoin becomes legal tender

On 7 September 2021, Bitcoin became legal tender in El Salvador, the first country to do so, alongside the United States dollar.

November 2021: Announcement of Bitcoin City construction

In November 2021, Bukele announced that he planned to build Bitcoin City in the southeastern region of La Unión at the base of the Conchagua volcano.

November 2021: Introduction of "Foreign Agents Law"

In November 2021, Bukele introduced the "Foreign Agents Law" to the Legislative Assembly, aimed at prohibiting foreign interference in Salvadoran political affairs. Critics compared it to Nicaraguan laws that exercise press censorship.

December 2021: Blocking of Twitter accounts

Human Rights Watch reported on 16 December 2021 that 91 Twitter accounts belonging to journalists, lawyers, and activists were blocked by Bukele and governmental institutions.

December 2021: U.S. Treasury Accusations of Gang Negotiations

On December 8, 2021, the United States Department of the Treasury accused Bukele's government of secretly negotiating with MS-13 and Barrio 18 to lower the country's homicide rate, providing financial incentives for reduced homicides and support for Nuevas Ideas in elections.

2021: Allies Won Supermajority and Replaced Key Officials

After Nuevas Ideas won a supermajority in the 2021 legislative election, Nayib Bukele's allies in the legislature voted to replace the attorney general and all five justices of the Supreme Court of Justice's Constitutional Chamber.

2021: Denouncement of Nicaraguan general election results

Bukele and the Legislative Assembly denounced the results of the 2021 Nicaraguan general election, which were seen by several governments as fraudulent.

2021: Promotion of Surf City

In 2021, Bukele designated part of El Salvador's Pacific coastline in the La Libertad Department as "Surf City" and the country hosted the ISA World Surfing Games.

2021: Homicide Rate in El Salvador

In 2021, El Salvador's homicide rate was reported to be 17.6 per 100,000 people.

2021: Bitcoin Became Legal Tender

In 2021, Nayib Bukele passed a law that made bitcoin legal tender in El Salvador and has promoted plans to build Bitcoin City.

2021: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2021, Time named Bukele as one of the world's 100 most influential people.

2021: Views on Emigration

In 2021, during an interview on Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tonight, Bukele discussed emigration from Central America to the United States, attributing it to the region's lack of economic opportunity and security, describing the level of emigration to the United States as immoral.

2021: Legislative Elections

The Salvadoran digital newspaper El Faro accused Bukele's government of conducting secret negotiations with MS-13 in exchange for support for Nuevas Ideas during the 2021 legislative elections.

February 2022: Accusation of Joe Biden regarding Russian invasion of Ukraine

In February 2022, Bukele accused United States president Joe Biden of "crying wolf" about a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

March 2022: Nationwide Crackdown on Gangs Initiated

After 87 people were killed by gangs over one weekend in March 2022, Nayib Bukele initiated a nationwide crackdown on gangs, resulting in numerous arrests.

March 2022: Gang Violence and Homicides

From March 25 to 27, 2022, gangs in El Salvador committed 87 homicides; 62 were committed on March 26 alone, marking the deadliest day in Salvadoran history since the end of the Salvadoran Civil War. José Miguel Cruz attributed the killings to a breakdown in a secret truce between the government and the gangs.

April 2022: Threat to deprive prisoners of food

In April 2022, Bukele threatened to deprive incarcerated gang members of food entirely if the gangs attempted to retaliate against the crackdown, citing rumors about revenge killings.

April 2022: Law Allowing Imprisonment of Journalists

In April 2022, the Legislative Assembly passed a law allowing courts to sentence journalists to 10 to 15 years' imprisonment for reproducing or transmitting messages from gangs, a move described by APES as a clear attempt at media censorship.

May 2022: Images of Bitcoin City models published

In May 2022, Bukele published images of models of Bitcoin City and its planned airport on Twitter, saying that the city would have "no income tax, zero property tax, no procurement tax, zero city tax, and zero CO2 emissions".

May 2022: Approval of gang crackdown by Salvadorans

Opinion polls between May 2022 and June 2023 indicated that 80 to 90 percent of Salvadorans approved of the gang crackdown and measures taken by the government against the gangs.

June 2022: Bukele's response to police officers' death

After members of Barrio 18 killed three police officers in Santa Ana in June 2022, Bukele said at a press conference that the gangs were "going to pay dearly" for the "ambush" against the police.

June 2022: Bukele absence at Summit of the Americas

Bukele did not attend the 9th Summit of the Americas in June 2022 due to frustration with the U.S. government's allegations of corruption and human rights abuses by his government.

June 2022: Hospital El Salvador begins treating other conditions

By June 2022, Hospital El Salvador began treating conditions other than COVID-19.

July 2022: Announcement of the construction of CECOT prison

In July 2022, Bukele announced the construction of the 40,000-inmate Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in Tecoluca, which would be one of the world's largest prisons.

August 2022: Closure of vaccination center at Hospital El Salvador

In August 2022, the vaccination center at Hospital El Salvador closed due to diminished dose administrations.

September 2022: Bukele announces he will run for re-election in 2024

On September 15, 2022, during a speech commemorating El Salvador's 201st anniversary of independence, Bukele announced his intention to run for re-election in 2024. This announcement was immediately criticized by constitutional lawyers, who argued that it violated the constitution.

November 2022: Journalists Flee El Salvador

By November 2022, the El Salvador Journalists Association (APES) estimated that at least a dozen journalists had fled El Salvador since Bukele took office, citing fears for their safety due to threats, harassment, doxxing, intimidation, surveillance, and criminal prosecution.

November 2022: Negotiations for free trade agreement with China

In November 2022, Bukele announced that El Salvador and China had begun negotiations for a free trade agreement between the countries.

November 2022: Accusation of interfering in congressional election

In November 2022, Torres accused Bukele of interfering in that month's 35th congressional district election by endorsing Republican challenger Mike Cargile.

November 2022: Territorial Control Plan Phase Five

In November 2022, phase five of the Territorial Control Plan, known as "extraction", began. Security forces were ordered to surround cities and extract gang members.

November 2022: Destruction of gang members' gravestones

In November 2022, the government began destroying gravestones belonging to deceased gang members to prevent them from becoming "shrines," and Bukele compared the gravestone destructions to denazification in post-World War II Germany. He also warned parents to keep their children away from gangs.

December 2022: Bukele proposes reducing municipalities

In December 2022, Bukele proposed reducing the number of municipalities in El Salvador from 262 to 50, arguing that the current number was "absurd" given the country's size. This proposal was met with both criticism and support, with some viewing it as a power grab and others as a necessary reform.

2022: Amnesty International Alleges Government Hacking

In 2022, Amnesty International stated that the Salvadoran government had tapped the phones of at least 22 Salvadoran journalists, most of whom worked for El Faro, using the Israeli Pegasus spyware.

2022: Homicide Rate in El Salvador

In 2022, El Salvador's homicide rate was reported to be 7.8 per 100,000 people.

2022: Abstention from resolutions critical of Nicaragua

Since 2022, El Salvador has abstained from resolutions critical of Nicaragua at the Organization of American States, with Bukele's government citing "non-interference" as justification.

January 2023: Announcement of Hosting Miss Universe 2023

In January 2023, Bukele announced that El Salvador would host the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, the first time since 1975.

February 2023: Bukele tours CECOT prison

In February 2023, Bukele posted a video on Twitter of him and members of his cabinet touring the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison.

February 2023: CID-Gallup opinion poll on corruption

In February 2023, a CID-Gallup opinion poll indicated that only four percent of Salvadorans considered corruption to be the country's most pressing issue.

April 2023: El Faro Moves Headquarters to Costa Rica

In April 2023, El Faro moved its headquarters to San José, Costa Rica, citing attempts to avoid fabricated accusations from Bukele's government.

May 2023: PAHO declared the end of the pandemic

On 5 May 2023, the Pan American Health Organization declared the end of the pandemic.

June 2023: COVID-19 cases and deaths

As of 2 June 2023, El Salvador had 4,230 deaths from COVID-19.

June 2023: Legislative Assembly Approved Municipality and Seat Reduction

In June 2023, the Legislative Assembly approved Nayib Bukele's proposals to reduce the number of municipalities from 262 to 44 and the number of seats in the legislature from 84 to 60.

June 2023: Bukele registers as a presidential pre-candidate

In June 26, 2023, Bukele registered as a presidential pre-candidate with Nuevas Ideas, along with Ulloa as his vice-presidential pre-candidate.

June 2023: Bukele announces proposals to reduce Legislative Assembly seats and municipalities

On June 1, 2023, Bukele announced two proposals to the Legislative Assembly: one to reduce the number of seats from 84 to 60, and another to reduce municipalities from 262 to 44. He justified the legislative reduction by referencing the pre-1992 number of seats, and the municipal reduction by stating that the 262 municipalities would retain their cultural identities and be classified as districts.

September 2023: Territorial Control Plan Phase Six

In September 2023, phase six of the Territorial Control Plan, known as "integration", began with the establishment of the National Integration Directory to combat poverty and unemployment.

September 2023: COVID-19 vaccine doses administered

As of 27 September 2023, the WHO reported that 11,426,688 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in El Salvador.

November 2023: Legislative Assembly grants Bukele leave of absence

In November 2023, the Legislative Assembly granted Bukele and Ulloa leaves of absence to focus on their re-election campaign. The leave went into effect the following day, suspending Bukele's presidential powers. Claudia Rodríguez de Guevara was named presidential designate, becoming the first woman in Salvadoran history to hold presidential power, although her appointment was criticized.

November 2023: Completion of National Library of El Salvador

In November 2023, the National Library of El Salvador was completed as part of infrastructure projects with China.

November 2023: TSE registers Bukele and Ulloa's candidacies

On November 3, 2023, the TSE (Supreme Electoral Tribunal) registered the candidacies of Bukele and Ulloa amidst opposition requests to reject Bukele's candidacy.

December 2023: El Salvador's bitcoin investment breaks even

As the price of bitcoin rose to $44,000 in December 2023, Bukele announced that El Salvador's investment into bitcoin had broken even.

December 2023: El Salvador's prison population exceeds 105,000

By December 2023, the large-scale arrests increased El Salvador's prison population to over 105,000, making it the country with the highest incarceration rate in the world with 1.7 percent of its population in prison.

December 2023: Law passed for citizenship through Bitcoin donation

In December 2023, the Legislative Assembly passed a law that allowed individuals to purchase Salvadoran citizenship by donating bitcoins to El Salvador.

2023: Birth of Bukele's second daughter

In 2023, Bukele and his wife Gabriela Rodríguez had their second daughter.

2023: Hosting ISA World Surfing Games and Central American and Caribbean Games

In 2023, El Salvador hosted the ISA World Surfing Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games. At the tournament's opening ceremony, Bukele responded to critics by asserting that he was not a dictator.

2023: Homicide Rate in El Salvador

In 2023, El Salvador's homicide rate was reported to be 2.4 per 100,000 people.

2023: Protests Against Re-election and Gang Crackdown

In 2023, protests against Bukele occurred regarding his re-election campaign and gang crackdown, but he retained high job-approval ratings.

January 2024: Letter from Democratic members of Congress

In January 2024, fourteen Democratic members of Congress sent a letter to Biden about Bukele's "authoritarian" actions.

February 2024: Bukele speaks at CPAC and accuses Soros of attempting to "dictate public politics and laws" in El Salvador

In February 2024, Bukele spoke at the American Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and accused George Soros of attempting to "dictate public politics and laws" in El Salvador. Bukele also expressed opposition to globalism, saying that "it's already dead" in El Salvador.

February 2024: Bukele wins re-election

On February 4, 2024, Bukele won re-election with 84.65% of the vote, becoming the first Salvadoran president re-elected since 1944. Nuevas Ideas retained its Legislative Assembly supermajority and, with its allies, won 43 of the country's 44 municipalities. Several news outlets described the election results as a "landslide victory".

March 2024: Offer to send mission to Haiti

In March 2024, Bukele offered to send a mission to Haiti to "fix" the country's gang war with United Nations Security Council support.

March 2024: El Salvador profits from Bitcoin investment

In March 2024, Bukele stated that El Salvador had made a 50-percent profit from bitcoin. He also mocked news-media outlets on Twitter regarding their silence on the profits after many articles on El Salvador's bitcoin losses.

March 2024: Bukele states his government will remove "all traces" of "gender ideologies in schools and colleges"

In March 2024, Bukele stated that his government would remove "all traces" of "gender ideologies in schools and colleges".

April 2024: Scheduled trial of Ernesto Muyshondt

Ernesto Muyshondt was arrested and was scheduled to go on trial in April 2024, despite concerns about his health.

May 2024: Reductions in Legislative Assembly seats and municipalities become effective

In May 1, 2024, the approved proposals for reducing the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly and the number of municipalities in El Salvador, both approved in June 2023, became effective.

June 2024: CECOT holds at least 14,532 inmates

By 11 June 2024, the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) held at least 14,532 inmates.

June 2024: Bukele fires 300 bureaucrats for promoting incompatible policies

In June 2024, Bukele fired 300 bureaucrats from the ministry of culture for promoting policies that were "incompatible" with his emphasis on "patriotic and family values".

June 2024: Bukele states he will not seek a third term

In June 2024, Bukele stated to Time that he would not seek a third term as president of El Salvador.

June 2024: Security situation improvement and consideration of ending state of emergency

In June 2024, Bukele told Time that the security situation in El Salvador had become sustainable and that he and his government hoped to end the state of emergency "in the near future".

June 2024: Second Presidential Inauguration

On June 1, 2024, Bukele's second presidential inauguration took place at the National Palace, featuring a military parade. Bukele evoked Simón Bolívar by wearing a Napoleonic-cut jacket and considered the event "the most important moment in our recent history".

July 2024: Bukele launches Bean of Fire coffee brand

In July 2024, Bukele launched the Bean of Fire coffee brand and began donating coffee beans grown on his farm to local businesses.

July 2024: Threat to mass-arrest vendors

In July 2024, Bukele threatened to mass-arrest vendors, importers, and distributors who engaged in price gouging.

July 2024: Trump's Accusation of "Exporting" Criminals

In July 2024, former United States president Donald Trump falsely accused Bukele's government of "exporting" criminals to the United States to lower El Salvador's crime rate.

September 2024: Report of Spying on Media Outlets

According to a September 2024 Infobae report, leaked audio recordings made by Alejandro Muyshondt in August 2020 supposedly recorded him and Ernesto Castro, then Bukele's personal secretary, agreeing to spy on El Diario de Hoy, El Faro, La Prensa Gráfica, and Revista Factum.

September 2024: 2025 government budget announcement

On 15 September 2024, Bukele stated that his 2025 government budget would not include any debt for current spending and that his government would not take out foreign loans to pay for the budget.

October 2024: Blockades implemented in multiple locations

By October 2024, blockades were implemented twice in Apopa, Cabañas, Comasagua, Nuevo Concepción, San Marcos, southern Chalatenango, and Soyapango, as part of the state of exception, to capture gang members.

October 2024: Agreement to provide soldiers to Haiti

In October 2024, El Salvador agreed to provide soldiers to conduct street patrols and aerial surveillance for the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.

October 2024: Denial of corruption accusations

In October 2024, when investigative journalists published a report that found that Bukele, his family had purchased 34 properties during Bukele's first presidential term, Bukele referred to the journalists as "imbeciles" and denied accusations of corruption.

November 2024: Release of innocent people arrested

By November 2024, more than 8,000 people had been released after the government determined that they were innocent.

November 2024: Central American Bank for Economic Integration support & Gold Mining

In November 2024, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration announced it would give the Salvadoran government $646 million to finance infrastructure projects. Later that month, Bukele supported mining gold and described the country's metal mining ban as "absurd".

December 2024: Arrests in Gang Crackdown Reach Over 85,000

By December 2024, the nationwide crackdown on gangs initiated by Nayib Bukele had resulted in the arrests of over 85,000 people with alleged gang affiliations.

December 2024: International Monetary Fund agrees to loan

On 18 December 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to give El Salvador a $1.4 billion dollar loan in exchange for the Salvadoran government making some concessions from the Bitcoin Law.

December 2024: Repeal of mining ban

On 23 December 2024, the Legislative Assembly repealed the ban on mining and Bukele approved the law that same day.

2024: Rejection of Venezuelan presidential election results

Bukele rejected the results of the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election as a "fraud" and stated that he would not restore relations with Venezuela unless there were "real elections".

2024: Abstention on OAS resolution to condemn Ecuador

In 2024, El Salvador was the only country to abstain on an OAS resolution to condemn Ecuador for raiding the Mexican embassy in Quito.

January 2025: Salvadoran government bitcoin holdings

By 19 January 2025, the Salvadoran government had 6,043 bitcoins worth $611.2 million.

January 2025: Amendment of the Bitcoin Law

On 29 January 2025, the Salvadoran government amended the Bitcoin Law to remove bitcoin's status as legal tender and currency but still allows its use as payment.

January 2025: Arrival of Salvadoran soldiers in Haiti

The first Salvadoran soldiers arrived in Port-au-Prince on 3 January 2025, to conduct street patrols and aerial surveillance for the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.

February 2025: Offer to accept non-Salvadoran deportees from the United States

In February 2025, Bukele offered Secretary of State Rubio to accept non-Salvadoran deportees from the United States, including convicted American prisoners "of U.S. citizenship and legal residents".

March 2025: Prolonged state of exception and custody deaths

By 4 March 2025, the state of exception had been extended 36 times by the Legislative Assembly. By that same date, over 85,000 suspected gang members had been arrested, 3,319 of whom were minors, and at least 367 people had died in custody.

March 2025: Deportation of alleged Tren de Aragua members to El Salvador

In March 2025, the United States deported 238 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to El Salvador.

2025: 2025 Government Budget

Bukele stated that his 2025 government budget would not include “a single cent of debt for current spending”.

2025: Claim of Global Money Laundering Operation

In 2025, Bukele claimed that most independent journalists and media outlets were part of a supposed global money laundering operation, referring to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).